I have a 2008 GS460 and it just turned 90,000 miles.. previously I have driven LS cars but wanted something fast and sporty.. my question is the ride in the GS.. I am used to not hearing much at all in the LS, no road noise and glides over rough pavement.. the LS suspension and tires absorb everything so you don't feel much.. in the GS, seems like I feel and hear much more! I am told it is because it has a stiffer suspension and low profile tires, true?? I thought about getting the shocks/struts replaced but the dealer wants $1600 and I don't want to spend that kind of money if it's the nature of the car and won't change much.. they are original and with such low miles I am also told they should last 150,000 miles?? Thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated! BTW, I love the car!! Thanks!

 

The size of the tires matter, and also the brand. Certain tires will ride smoother than others. A nice michelin tire will give you a nice quiet ride. As for the struts, kyb aftermarket is the same as oem. You can find them on rockauto for $90 per side, but if your car has the adjustable sport strut, they do not make them. But even if your car has the adjustable struts, you can use the non adjustable struts they just wont adjust. As for the rear you buy any GS350 rear struts there all the same even awd.

Also tire psi, helps soften ride. If your tires are over 35 or 36 psi the ride gets harsher. drop a psi or two if you dont mind the extra gas it burns.

 

My car has the sport/normal button.. is that the air ride (or adjustible)?

 

The button should have a strut looking emblem on it, quote me if I'm wrong but that should just make your suspension stiffer, no air ride.

 

By the way, she is beautiful

 

While the shocks are still on the lower-mile side, they are still 15 years old.

I just replaced the shocks in my 74k mile 2008 GS350 with the aforementioned KYB's and it removed all of the jitteriness and swaying that I was experiencing with my original shocks.

 

No air ride is a good thing because the dealer said the cost to replace with air ride is $5k??

 

Good point! I was thinking the same thing, 15 years old!

 

90 bucks a side is a hell of a lot cheaper than the dealer!!! if you do the back should you do the fronts too??

 

You can just replace the backs, but best to replace all one time, that way you save money with wheel alignment one time. Also look for a small mom n pop mechanic to give you a better deal.

 

I do have a great mom and pop shop, didn't know if it was something Lexus was best to do from a technical standpoint? If not, I could save a ton because they like it better when I get parts because they don't have to wait for them to come in the mail..

 

This isn't a very complex job - me and a buddy knocked it out in a few hours. I think your independent shop should have no issues replacing these.

 

cool, thanks!

 

So the SPORT/NORMAL button is not Air Ride? What does the car do in Sport Mode?

 

there are dampeners on the struts that stiffen the ride somewhat in sport mode. you can get the oem struts through lexuspartsnow and MyLParts for about 250 each, and they will still engage the sport mode. If you go this route, confirm that they are selling you the correct strut. lexuspartsnow sold me the wrong one(no dampener adjustment) even after confirming the part number with my VIN. MyLParts got it right tho.